Madtom Ecology

Madtoms (stone catfish) are small catfish averaging 2-4 “in length and are part of the complex web of feeding relationships that occur in streams. Although small, they are often abundant in streams and rivers, and their populations represent a significant link in the food chain.

Like bigger catfish, madtoms are mostly nocturnal. During the day they hide under rocks and leafy debris. At night, they emerge and forage voraciously. They eat a variety of small, aquatic insects, including the nymphs of mayflies, dragonflies and damselflies. They also eat small crustaceans, including aquatic pill bugs and immature crawdads.

Smallmouth bass consider them a delicacy

                         Two year R&D Program

I spoke w/several experience smallmouth bass fishermen who have used live and artificial stone catfish as bait for smallmouth bass. They all raved as to the effectiveness of a real Madtom as bait for smallmouth bass. I received excellent advice on the coloring of these Stone catfish found  in the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers.

I made several RTV silicone molds and poured various colors. Using a belly weighted hook that presented these baits w/good hooking qualities and reduced snag performance was of the utmost importance. The 1^st year produced some nice fish but I was still not satisfied w/the silhouette and hooking system.  I changed to a light wire Mustad Ultra-point hook w/a 1/8oz. belly weight. The soft-bait silhouette was re-designed and with the help of a skilled CNC molds machinist and valuable input from an avid stone cattie fisherman, the 1^st 2-part mold was made. Getting the plastic formula just right to hand-pour the thin entrance to the tail section was tricky but was accomplished on the 2^nd CNC mold.w/some additional venting. A third minor adjustment was made and the final molds were completed.

Reports of good success by respected anglers using this new bait reached my desk in a very short period of time. I was finally able to get out of the shop and on the water to try them. Developing a consistent presentation pattern that interested the smallmouth bass community required a bit of time. I found a dead drift w/an occasional lift of 1-4 ft. off of the bottom to be effective as they fell back to the bottom. They can also be slowly reeled w/pauses to let them drop. Watching your line where it enters the water is most important since any sideways movement indicates a hit. I was surprise how lightly the bass hit them and moved very quickly, 4-6 feet to the left or right of the initial pick-up spot. Set the hook immediately-no matter how light the 1 tap hit usually is.

 It is important to continuously check the sharpness of the Ultra-point hook A quick touch-up (in one direction with a smooth diamond file) usually returns them to an ultra sharp hook. The hook point should stick into your fingernail and not slide across if sharpened properly. Use even but light pressure towards the point of the hook with the diamond file. Fishing these baits w/a texposed hook causes them to come in contact w/various rocky bottoms that smallmouth bass frequent and the stone catties live under on the bottom of the river and streams. You will also experience Sunfish, .Red-eyes and Walleyes hitting these baits.

      Stone Cattie Soft-bait & Presentation System
                         (#SCPS)  |  $19.95

1-Susquehanna Cat – black w/amber /yellow belly
2-Delaware river Cat – green pumpkin w/ caramel belly
The kit consists of 2 complete rigs/4 extra- weighted hooks (1/8 oz.) and 12 soft-baits.
Both colors may be mixed as 6 of each -per kit.

Smallmouth bass consider the stone catfish (mad tom) a delicacy and feed on them when ever they are present. I’ve created an average size in two distinct models w/valued input from 2 anglers who know the value and rewards of fishing stone catties. The soft-bait is affixed to a special Mustad, black chrome, light wire hook w/a centered belly weight and hitchhiker coil keeper. It is recommended to rig the bait texposed. Rigged this way, the bait falls in a upright, circular swimming motion. A slow retrieve w/pauses can also be a very effective presentation in shallow creeks and slack water areas in rivers.